INSIDE STORY: People’s Experiences of Joint Replacement Surgery

Total Orthopaedics is a surgical unit based at Highgate Private Hospital in North London, made up of a team of expert orthopaedic surgeons who cover a range of sub-specialities. In England and Wales, there are around 160,000 joint replacement operations every year, most commonly hip and knee replacements. Surgery can be a daunting experience for many patients, and it can often be helpful to hear about the experiences of patients who have already undergone these procedures.

Here is a testimonial from a patient of Mr J. Saksena, an orthopaedic surgeon at Highgate Private Hospital who specialises in hip and knee replacement and reconstruction surgery, who recently underwent a total hip replacement:

‘A fall down the stairs at home a few years ago had left me with a limp and increasing painful osteoarthritis in the right hip. When it became clear that physio exercises and other forms of treatment didn’t help, I was fortunately referred to Mr Saksena by my physiotherapist. By then, I could no longer walk further than a few hundred meters and even driving was painful. Having recently retired, aged 68, my quality of life was severely reduced.
After a thorough examination, and have clearly explained the risks of such an operation, Mr Saksena recommended a total hip replacement. During the month prior to the operation, he suggested a series of pre-hab physio exercises; this proved excellent as it strengthened my muscles and speeded up ultimate recovery.

Six weeks after the largely pain-free 3-day stay at Highgate Private Hospital, my recovery is proceeding faster than I expected. I now find I can walk at least a mile with only one crutch for balance, and without support inside the house. Whereas I particularly stopped making plans for the future, I am now again looking forward to walking holidays abroad with my husband, taking up new hobbies, and looking forward to returning to my local swimming pool. In short, I am now looking forward to the rest of my life!

I can only thank Mr Saksena and his team at Highgate Private Hospital most sincerely. Apart from his medical care and professional skill, I was greatly touched by his personal warmth and kindness, taking time to visit me in the hospital ward during my stay, although it coincided with the first May Bank holiday.

I am also infinitely grateful to everyone else who cared for me, including the wonderful nurses and physiotherapists and all the staff at Highgate Private Hospital.’

If you have any concerns or questions about any upcoming procedures or surgeries, it is best to talk to your doctor, surgeon or physiotherapist. Some patients find it is particularly helpful to write a list of questions to take to their appointment so that they find out all of the information they need.